Studio Lambert/Peacock
A Killer Renewal
"Traitors" Renewed for Three More Seasons; Meet the Cast of the 2027 Season
From the Futon Critic

Alan Cumming is set to banish more celebrities after Peacock handed The Traitors a supersized three-season renewal. The mystery entertainment series has been picked up through Season 8 at the NBCUniversal streamer.

It comes after the Studio Lambert-produced show won its third consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Reality Competition Program and Cumming won his third consecutive Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Reality Or Reality Competition Program. The show itself came home with seven Emmy nominations and wins.

After winning the Emmy on Sunday, Cumming said: “The audience is so amazing. It is so diverse, and it’s just incredible the way you all get together and watch the show together. That is so beautiful, that a show about treachery and betrayal brings people together.”

The move is not a surprise given that the show is Peacock’s second-biggest title after Love Island USA, and its fourth season, which premiered in January, was up 72% over Season 3.

The three-season renewal comes after The Traitors was already renewed for Season 5, which will premiere next year. Before that, NBC will air a civilian version of the show, premiering on September 17

"The Traitors" will be back next year with an all-new celebrity lineup of 23 reality and pop culture icons set to compete, deceive and bring the heat to the roundtable.

The celebrity contestants participating are:
· Bianca Del Rio ("RuPaul's Drag Race")
· Boman Martinez-Reid (Content Creator)
· Bronwyn Newport ("The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City")
· Casey Wilson (Actress)
· Chloe Kim (Olympic Snowboarder)
· Cody Simpson (Singer)
· Craig Conover ("Southern Charm")
· Cynthia Bailey ("The Real Housewives of Atlanta")
· Dominic Monaghan (Actor)
· Emira D'Spain ("Next Gen NYC")
· Gizelle Bryant ("The Real Housewives of Potomac")
· Iain Stirling (Comedian / "Love Island")
· Jag Bains ("Big Brother" / "Amazing Race")
· JaNa Craig ("Love Island USA")
· Joey Graziadei ("The Bachelor")
· Johnny Sibilly (Actor)
· Kristin Chenoweth (Actress / Singer)
· Michele Fitzgerald ("Survivor" / "The Challenge")
· Q Burdette ("Survivor")
· Rachel Robinson ("The Challenge")
· Rashad Jennings (NFL Star)
· Taylor Hale ("Big Brother" / "Amazing Race")
· Whitney Leavitt ("The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives")

Meanwhile, NBC's "The Traitors: New Blood" has just debuted, featuring everyday Americans competing for the prize. New episodes air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC and stream the next day on Peacock.

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posted 9/18/2026

I Think I Can Beat Wayne Rooney
BBC Greenlights Soccer Quiz
From BBC Media Centre

Fresh from answering Erling Haaland's challenge to fulfil his World Cup rowing pledge and take to New York's Hudson River after Norway's dramatic World Cup victory over Brazil, Wayne Rooney is returning to the BBC this autumn for his biggest challenge yet: taking on a new guest every week in a battle of football (C-Note: or soccer for us Yanks) knowledge.

The BBC's visualised podcast Can You Beat Wayne Rooney? will see the former England captain and Manchester United legend put his football brain to the test against a series of famous faces from the worlds of sport, entertainment and popular culture.

Hosted by comedian Alex Brooker and available to watch on BBC Sport's Football YouTube channel and BBC iPlayer and to listen to on BBC Sounds and all major podcast platforms, the weekly series combines football trivia, fierce competition and unforgettable stories from one of the greatest careers in the game.

While guests will arrive convinced they can beat him, every question unlocks a story from Wayne's extraordinary journey through football, taking audiences behind the scenes of dressing rooms, title races, international tournaments and some of the sport's most iconic moments.

Whether revisiting famous goals, legendary teammates or career-defining matches, Can You Beat Wayne Rooney? offers football fans a unique opportunity to hear the stories behind the headlines while watching Wayne's competitive side emerge as he tries to protect his reputation against a fresh challenger every week.

Wayne Rooney said: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, whether it’s on a football pitch, playing paddle or on a golf course and even rowing on the Hudson River. When Erling called me out to honour my challenge after Norway beat Brazil, there was no way I was backing out. That’s probably why I know I’m going to enjoy this series so much. We’ve evolved the podcast to lean into that competitive side of my personality, because I know that’s something the people love to see. Every guest will turn up thinking they can beat me and, honestly, I don’t like losing. A single question can take you straight back to a dressing room, a match or a moment you haven’t thought about in years. We’ve got some great guests lined up, plenty of laughs and some fantastic football conversations".

Alex Brooker said: “Wayne is an absolute winner, he hates losing. I can’t wait to see every guest arrive trying to take him down and Wayne determined not to let it happen! Add in the incredible stories that come from the questions and you’ve got something football fans are going to love. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Can You Beat Wayne Rooney? will be available from Autumn on BBC Sounds, BBC Sport's Football YouTube channel, BBC iPlayer and all major podcast platforms. It will be produced in Manchester by Persephonica, the company behind popular BBC Sounds podcast Games Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast, among others.

BBC Media Centre
Manchester Evening News

posted 9/18/2026

Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery
Back to the Table...
Paramount Set to Leave California Amidst Antitrust Battle Over Aborted Merger
From The Wrap

Paramount and California Attorney General Rob Bonta are in advanced talks about a potential settlement to the latter’s lawsuit seeking to block the company’s pending $110 billion Warner Bros. Discovery merger, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Bonta, who is suing alongside 11 other state AGs, previously said he’s open to reaching an out of court settlement, but has called on the David Ellison-led media giant to offer structural remedies, such as divestments, rather than behavioral remedies, like its pledge to release 30 films in theaters per year.

The Journal reports that compromises under discussion include agreeing to operate the two companies’ movie studios separately for a period of time rather than immediately combining them. The talks are ongoing and there is no guarantee that an agreement will be reached.

“Potential settlement talks are confidential,” a spokesperson for Bonta’s office told TheWrap. “We cannot confirm or deny whether settlement talks are occurring or their alleged substance.”

Representatives for Paramount declined to comment.

MEANWHILE...
- The merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. could cost about 4,500 film and TV jobs over three years, according to a new report issued by Los Angeles County. The report, prepared by CVL Economics, argues that the merger would accelerate the downturn in L.A. production, which has already cost 52,000 jobs over the last four years. The report also notes that the combined company would face significant pressure to reduce costs in order to pay down debt, which could entail moving production out of Los Angeles and consolidating slates.
- Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is urging David Ellison and California Attorney General Rob Bonta to “find common ground” and settle a lawsuit seeking to block the pending $110 billion Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger. “While there are varying perspectives on the proposed transaction, today we are united around one clear message: It is time for all parties to come to the table,” Bass said during a news conference on Thursday. “The continued uncertainty is not good for workers, not good for productions and not good for the future of this industry. Too many productions in L.A. are now at a standstill, which means Angelenos are out of a job and they’re not getting paid.” “As mayor, I cannot stand by while the job security of thousands of hardworking union members is being put at risk. That is why we are calling on Paramount, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and all relevant parties to come together, engage directly and in good faith, and work urgently to find common ground and keep our vital industry in Los Angeles at a time when film and television production is already facing significant challenges,” Bass continued. “We cannot afford prolonged uncertainty that delays investment, puts production on hold, and creates greater instability for thousands of workers and family.”
- The Writers Guild of America fired back at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Thursday after she expressed support for a settlement in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger lawsuit. “We are disappointed that Mayor Bass has chosen to join Paramount’s pressure campaign on public enforcers, to push through a merger that is being rightfully challenged as illegal and will lead to job losses in the entertainment industry,” the WGA asserted, adding that she spoke after a report to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors estimated that “thousands of jobs will be lost if the merger proceeds."
- Investment bankers are preparing for potential asset sales that could come with a settlement. Bloomberg reports that bankers have approached would-be buyers about acquiring New Line Cinema, which has produced “It” and “The Lord of The Rings: Rings of Power.” The outlet also said that WBD’s cable networks are attracting interest, noting that some potential buyers have weighed bidding for Comedy Central. Representatives for Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery declined to comment.
- A group supporting the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger is using artificial intelligence to help pressure California Attorney General Rob Bonta to drop his antitrust lawsuit. The group, which uses the neutral-sounding name Neighbors for Strong Communities, uses AI to craft letters that are sent to Bonta’s office, but says that the senders are all real people. “Anyone should be able to tell their story, and we use tech to make it easy for them,” said Tanner Kelly, the group’s co-founder. “Nothing we do is AI-generated. It’s AI-assisted. It’s a real person telling a story.”
- Hannah Einbinder, Bradley Whitford, Rati Gupta, W. Kamau Bell, Kristen Vangsness and Jane Fonda urged opposition to the Paramount–Warner Bros. Discovery deal in a new video from Hollywood’s Block the Merger Coalition to rally support for a “no concessions” petition as the State AGs’ lawsuit moves towards trial.
- The above-mentioned coalition is ramping up the pressure against Paramount with plans to launch billboards in New York City and California calling for $110 billion deal with Warner Bros. Discovery to be blocked. The billboards, which are paid for by the More Perfect Union Foundation, are aimed at educating the public about the negative effects of the merger, a press release reads. “We need the American public to speak out against the oligarchs seeking to take even more control over our media platforms,” More Perfect Union Foundation Executive Director Faiz Shakir said in a statement. “After Trump caved to the Ellison family and compelled the Department of Justice to approve the merger, the last line of defense left is our nation’s courageous Attorneys General. They need to know that the public wants them to take action and block the merger.”
- Paramount and the state attorneys general suing to block its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery were ordered by a judge to appear for a two-day settlement conference October 14-15 in a San Francisco courtroom. It’s a mandated step for two sides approaching a trial, set in this case for early March, and doesn’t mean there’s been any particular behind-the-scenes progress in reaching an agreement.
- The FCC has approved an investment in the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger by a group of foreign investors, including three Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. Per a declaratory ruling on Thursday, the agency granted the David Ellison-led media giant’s request for foreign investors to indirectly hold a stake in excess of 25% in the aggregate, more than 5% each in the equity of Paramount through non-voting Class B shares and advance approval to hold up to 20% each of the indirect equity in Paramount in the future. The FCC also found that it is “in the public interest to permit up to 100% indirect foreign equity interest of Paramount, in the aggregate.” Foreign investors will own 49.5% of the non-voting equity in Paramount, with 38.5% of that total controlled by three Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will hold an equity stake of 15.1%, the United Arab Emirates’ L’imad Holding Company will hold a stake of 12.8% and the Qatar Investment Authority will hold a stake of 10.6%, per the ruling. Other foreign equity owners include “passive limited partner investors” in funds managed by RedBird Capital Partners, which account for 5.8%, and foreign-based entities that have acquired the company’s Class B stock, who control 5.2%.

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posted 9/18/2026

Happy Friday Lightning Round
... or "CW20"

• The CW turns 20 (Deadline)
  
  
• American Idol alum Caleb Flynn on trial for murdering his wife, cheating afterwards (TMZ)
  
  
• FIRST LOOK: Cash Course opens on "Let's Make a Deal" Monday (TV Insider)
  

posted 9/18/2023

Amazon MGM Studios/NBC/Talpa
"The Voice" at 30 Seasons
Three Night Premiere... and a Twist
From the Futon Critic

NBC's four-time Emmy Award-winning musical competition series "The Voice" returns for a milestone season 30 on Monday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC, kicking off a three-night premiere event that continues on Tuesday, Sept. 22 and Wednesday, Sept 23. All episodes are available to stream the next day on Peacock.  

Joining for the first time are icon Queen Latifah and country superstar Riley Green, with fan-favorites Kelly Clarkson and Adam Levine rounding out the coaching panel.  

The new season marks the first-ever simulcast on Peacock for an NBC entertainment program. Additional updates to the format reenergizing the competition include: 
- Blind Auditions - An all-new "First In Button" gives the coach who turns first on a multi-chair turn the opportunity to claim an artist before the artist's final decision. This button can only be used once.  
- Cut Week - The biggest elimination in "Voice" history, each coach sends two artists straight through to the Live Shows, while five more battle for one remaining spot on their team. Once the Top 12 is set, America votes one final additional artist into the Lives, solidifying the Top 13.   
- Live Shows - The fan-favorite live shows are back with six weeks of live performances and special guest appearances. Live Show "Theme Week" episodes include Dolly Parton Tribute Week, Y2K and TikTok. This phase of the competition is also newly enhanced with the following viewer-friendly options. 
- Simulcast Viewing - For the first time ever, live shows will be simulcast on NBC and Peacock in all time zones.
- Brand New Voting Methods - Fans will be in control when they vote on their favorites during six weeks of Lives. Viewers can now vote through SMS or TikTok; and results will be announced the same night. For additional details on voting methods, please visit: NBC Insider

TikTok teams up with "The Voice" for a multifaceted season-long partnership. This venture will include embedding high-profile creators into the show for unprecedented BTS access, TikTok live companion pre- and post-show broadcasts, and tracking on-platform sharing, with a TikTok reward for the most-shared artist at the end of the season. A dedicated TikTok-themed episode will also air during the thrilling live show run.

"The Voice" also joins forces with female-founded and led media and entertainment juggernaut, Betches. Tailor-made for season 30, Betches will leverage its distinct tone to connect social audiences to the show through fresh content and editorial coverage. Their creators also team up with this season's coaches, keeping audiences engaged beyond the screen.

As previously announced, a first-of-its-kind partnership between Live Nation Studios, The Governors Ball Music Festival and "The Voice" will award the season 30 winner with a performance slot on the Governors Ball 2027 main stage.

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posted 9/17/2026

Fremantle/ABC
Welcome to ... Y'allywood?
"American Idol" Moving to Georgia
From Deadline

The volume of reality TV production in Los Angeles has been falling over the last five years and the situation is set to worsen as one of the biggest music competition shows is set to leave the city. Deadline understands that American Idol is moving production from Los Angeles to the Atlanta area in Georgia.

The ABC show is moving production for its upcoming Season 25, which premieres in the new year, Fremantle, which produces the show with Sony Pictures Television-backed 19 Entertainment, confirmed to Deadline.

The source reports that Fremantle is in final talks with a studio complex in the area but that it has not signed the deal.

Georgia is one of the main shooting locations outside of L.A. and New York in the U.S. and has been the home for various Marvel movies and shows such as Captain America: Brave New World and Wandavision as well as unscripted series such as Fox’s The 1% Club and ABC game show Press Your Luck, hosted by Elizabeth Banks.

It comes after Fox moved production of one of the other big music competition series – The Masked Singer – out of the state and to New Jersey for Season 15. One of the reasons that Fox is moving The Masked Singer is that The Garden State offers production tax incentives of 30% on qualified expenses with up to 40% on certain studio projects and unlike many states, including California, allows all types of unscripted shows to qualify.

This is similar in Georgia, which offers up to a 30% tax credit for unscripted and reality television productions that spend at least $500,000 in the state, which is one of the main reasons for the Idol move.

Idol’s departure from California will be a blow for reality production in the state. FilmLA recently released data for production in the second quarter of the year and while television rose overall from last year, unscripted productions in LA had 40% fewer shoot days than in the second quarter of 2025. Over the last five years, it has seen a 62.7% drop, per the organization.

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posted 9/17/2026

"Dragula" Returns for Seven
Catch It on Shudder October 27
From the Futon Critic

The genre-defining competition series The Boulet Brothers' Dragula will return for its seventh season on Tuesday, October 27, streaming exclusively on Shudder and AMC+. The four-time Emmy-nominated series, created and hosted by the Boulet Brothers, recipients of the Critics Choice Association's Reality TV Award, is Shudder's highest-performing unscripted original franchise and continues to be one of the platform's most popular series. The new season also marks the tenth anniversary of its original Halloween debut.

The forthcoming seventh season features some of the series' most brilliantly unhinged and cutting-edge underground artists, a collection of beloved guest judges including Rose McGowan, Doug Jones, David Dastmalchian, Harvey Guillén, Rachel True, Darren Stein, Lloyd Kaufman, Brandon Rogers, James A. Janisse, Chelsea Rebecca, Yvie Oddly, Lauren LaVera, Bailey Sarian, Howard Berger, and previous The Boulet Brothers' Dragula winners Landon Cider, Dahli, and Asia Consent, and the craziest elimination challenges in ten years of the show. The season will also pay homage to the grimy, tactile VHS horror of the 1980s and '90s through ambitious cinematic sequences that will celebrate some of the genre's most iconic films.

"Ten years ago, we opened the gates to our world without a roadmap, a television network or any idea of how far this strange underground experiment would take us. Today, Dragula has become an internationally recognized and Emmy-nominated franchise, but its heartbeat remains the same: fearless artists, disruptive ideas and a refusal to play it safe," said the Boulet Brothers. "For season 7, we wanted to celebrate everything that has always made Dragula dangerous and different while pushing the series into its next era. We cast raw, hungry artists who were completely unprepared for what was waiting for them, creating a season that feels unpredictable, cinematic and alive in a way that takes us back to the beginning."

"Over the last decade, The Boulet Brothers' Dragula has grown into a genre-defining franchise and a cornerstone of Shudder's programming," said Nick Lazo, SVP of Development and Production at Shudder. "We are honored to have been part of that journey with the Boulet Brothers, who have become influential voices in modern horror, and look forward to bringing fans another unforgettable and jaw-dropping season just in time for Halloween."

Ten years after unleashing the Boulet Brothers' world of drag, filth, horror and glamour, The Boulet Brothers' Dragula has grown tremendously, garnering four Emmy nominations, three GLAAD Media Award nominations and two Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards. The series also earned the Critics Choice Association's Reality TV Award at the 3rd Annual Celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television in 2026.

The Futon Critic

posted 9/17/2026

Warner Horizon TV/ABC
Fox Nation Takes "The Vow"
Chris Harrison to Host Starting November 11
From the Futon Critic

FOX Nation will premiere the first two episodes of its all-new original dating series, Chris Harrison's The Vow, on November 11, announced Lauren Petterson, president of FOX Nation. Hosted by longtime reality television personality Chris Harrison, the series marks his highly anticipated return to the relationship genre. New episodes will premiere weekly on Wednesdays, culminating with the season finale on December 9.

Across six episodes, one eligible bachelor, 30-year-old Jace Cates, embarks on a relationship journey with ten women, each seeking lasting commitment and marriage. Through curated dates and real-world compatibility challenges, Chris Harrison's The Vow explores whether shared values, faith, communication, and long-term goals can build a relationship designed to last long after the cameras stop rolling.

At a time when much of modern dating culture is driven by fleeting connections and social media attention, the series offers a different approach by placing the focus on meaningful relationships, commitment and building a life together.

In making the announcement, Petterson said, "Chris Harrison helped shape one of television's most recognizable genres, and we're thrilled to partner with him on a fresh, thoughtful take that returns the focus to what so many people are ultimately searching for: a genuine connection built to last. This series explores the conversations, values and real-life moments that matter long after production ends, and we believe audiences will connect with its authentic and hopeful approach to finding lasting love."

Harrison added, "I'm so excited to be back helping people find love, and FOX Nation has been an incredible partner in bringing this vision to life. We were inspired by the faith-driven renaissance happening across America, and as a result, I believe we've created the most authentic dating show on television today. At a time when so many people feel dating has become harder than ever, The Vow asks a simple but important question: Can genuine, lasting love still be found in the modern world? The stakes couldn't be higher. I'm incredibly proud and honored to put my name on this show."

Returning to the genre he helped define, Harrison guides participants through honest conversations and pivotal decisions that test far more than chemistry. From navigating conflict and communication to discussing faith, family and future goals, the series examines the real-life questions that shape successful marriages while encouraging contestants to leave the process if they no longer believe the relationship has a genuine future. During the season, Sean and Catherine Lowe, one of the most enduring success stories in the genre, will make an appearance to share their experience and offer advice on what it takes to build a lasting partnership.

Produced in partnership with Lionsgate Alternative Television, Chris Harrison's The Vow is executive produced by Chris Harrison, Lauren Zima, Nicholas Caprio, Tom Huffman, showrunner and executive producer Louis Caric, with Elan Gale serving as consulting producer, casting by Lindsay Liles and directed by Michael Shea. Chris Harrison's The Vow is distributed internationally by FOX Entertainment Global, which holds finished tape and format rights.

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posted 9/17/2026

Thursday Lightning Round
... or "Welcome to the Stage"

• Michael V to take over "Family Feud Philippines" (Facebook @SunstarDavaoNews)
  
  
• You're getting Luke Littler for Christmas as Bullseye lines up holiday special (TV Zone)
  
  
• John Bishop loves Saturday night, previews "Wisdom of the Crowd" (Female First)
  
  
• Katya steps away from career due to "medical complications" (E!)
  
  
• A FEW GOOD MINUTES with Arthur Smith (Realscreen)
  

posted 9/17/2023

BBC Studios Los Angeles/ABC
Coming Out the Gate Hot
DWTS S35 Bumps Up in Audience
From Deadline

Dancing with the Stars is off to a dazzling start with last night’s Season 35 premiere on ABC and Disney+.

The episode, which saw only the male celebrities and their pro partners compete, attracted 6.67 million total live + same-day viewers, according to preliminary data from Nielsen. When the company’s Big Data + Panel numbers are available later in the week, that number is likely to rise. That’s a 24% increase over the Season 34 premiere to deliver the show’s biggest premiere audience in six years. Among adults 18-49 specifically, the season opener jumped 40% to a 1.48 rating — the show’s best performance in the demo in nearly a decade.

In fact, funny enough, the premiere was the top entertainment telecast among adults 18-49 across all of television since ABC’s presentation of The Oscars. Dancing with the Stars is surging among young women, unsurprisingly, given the shows and influencer circles that it has been mining from for celebrity contestants. Disney says that the premiere delivered a 2.53 rating among women 18-34, making it the best premiere delivery in 13 years.

This all bodes very well for the new season, especially the big boost in total viewers over the Season 34 premiere. Last season became a juggernaut for Disney, ending with the best finale audience in nearly a decade.

Deadline
The Wrap
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The Hollywood Reporter

posted 9/16/2026

Bruckheimer TV/Worldrace/CBS
The Amazing Race at 25
CBS, Entertainment Tonight Slot a Celebration September 29
From the Futon Critic

CBS announced today THE AMAZING RACE: 25 YEARS AROUND THE WORLD, an ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT special, will air Tuesday, Sept. 29 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming live on Paramount+ (Premium) and next day. Hosted by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT co-host Nischelle Turner, the special celebrates 25 years of the Emmy(R) Award-winning reality competition series THE AMAZING RACE the day prior to the new season's premiere.

Presented by ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, the one-hour special celebrates 25 years of THE AMAZING RACE with memorable moments from the ET Vault, never-before-seen footage and new interviews. It offers a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges, destinations and contestants that have defined the series.

Host and executive producer Phil Keoghan sits down with ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT to reflect on the show's history and share stories from its journey around the globe. Other featured guests include co-creator and executive producer Elise Doganieri and fan-favorite contestants, such as season seven winners Uchenna Agu and Joyce Robinson, who memorably shaved her head during the competition; season 32 winners Will Jardell and James Wallington; Claire Champlin and Brook Roberts, who unforgettably got hit in the head with a flying watermelon; the cowboys, Jet and Cord McCoy; Flight Time and Big Easy; among others.

THE AMAZING RACE is a multiple Emmy Award-winning reality series hosted by Emmy Award-nominated host Phil Keoghan, where teams of two embark on a race around the world. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of challenges, some mental and some physical, and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams that are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team arriving at the final destination winning THE AMAZING RACE and the $1 million prize.

The 39th season of THE AMAZING RACE kicks off in Vancouver, Canada, with a special two-night premiere event, Wednesday, Sept. 30 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT) and Thursday, Oct. 1 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT). The Emmy(R) Award winner continues in its regular Wednesday time period on Wednesday, Oct. 7 (9:30-11:00 PM, ET/PT), on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (Premium) and next day.

The Futon Critic
TV Line

posted 9/16/2026

More on "The Great British Baking Show" Season 14
Catch It on Netflix September 25
From the Futon Critic

On your Marks, Get set... Bake! The Great British Baking Show is back with a brand new season - a brand new judge, and a brand new batch of talented amateur bakers from across the UK. In the iconic white tent, they'll take on the ultimate baking challenges - from showstopping celebration cakes to perfect pastries - all under the watchful eyes of judges Paul Hollywood and Nigella Lawson. Each week, the bakers face Signature, Technical, and Showstopper challenges designed to test their creativity, skill, and nerves. One baker will be sent home, and one will rise to become this season's winner.

"The Great British Baking Show" is a Love Production, Letty Kavanagh, Richard McKerrow, Kieran Smith, and Jenna Mansfield executive producing.

The Futon Critic
TV Insider

posted 9/16/2026

More on "Love Is Blind Netherlands"
Catch It on Netflix September 30
From the Futon Critic

Netflix today unveils the trailer for Love Is Blind: Netherlands Just one day after revealing the 30 single men and women, viewers get their first look as they embark on their search for love. Hosted by Nicolette van Dam and Bas Smit, Love Is Blind: Netherlands premieres exclusively on Netflix on September 30.

In Love is Blind: Netherlands, 30 single men and women enter the pods in the hope of finding a genuine, lasting connection, without ever seeing the person they're talking to. They date in individual pods, separated by a thin wall, and have the chance to build an emotional connection before meeting face-to-face. If they feel they've found the right person, they can even get engaged before seeing each other for the first time. From there, the couples meet in person and find out whether their connection can survive outside the pods. They travel together, move in together, plan their weddings, and navigate the challenges of building a relationship in the real world. And then comes the ultimate test: the altar. Will they say 'I do' and prove that love really is blind, or will they decide to go their separate ways?

Batch 1 of the first season of Love is Blind: Netherlands premieres September 30. The season consists of 10 episodes, following the singles as they navigate their journey to find love.
- Batch 1: September 30, 2026 (episodes 1 t/m 5)
- Batch 2: October 7, 2026 (episodes 6 t/m 8)
- Batch 3: October 14, 2026 (episode 9)

The Futon Critic

posted 9/16/2026

Talpa/Getty
BEN SAUNDERS: 1983-2026
Singer, Tattoo Artist the First "Voice of Holland"
From Deadline

Ben Saunders, the London-born Dutch singer who won the first-ever incarnation of The Voice, was found dead Tuesday, September 15, in a popular Netherlands recreational lake. He was 43.

His death was announced on Instagram by his brother Dean, who wrote, “My dear little brother died today. I have never felt such pain as I feel now. What a dreadful day for us all.”

A cause of death has not been disclosed, but police do not suspect foul play.

Saunders was the winner in 2011 of The Voice of Holland, the first edition of the TV talent show that would go on to become a hit franchise around the world, including in the U.S. as NBC’s The Voice.

The news was first reported by local newspapers De Telegraaf and Dutch News, the latter noting that police do not suspect foul play. Saunders had been reported missing earlier in the day on Tuesday.

Saunders’ body was recovered at the Rijkerswoerdse Plassen on Tuesday afternoon. The lake is located in Elst on the border of Arnhem South in the Netherlands.

Born on July 9, 1983, in London, Saunders moved to the Netherlands as a child with his parents, growing up in the town of Hoorn before moving to Arnhem, where he operated a tattoo parlor. (His body was initially identified by its distinctive tattoos.)

Saunders auditioned for The Voice of Holland with a cover of the Kings of Leon song “Use Somebody.” His show-winning song was “Kill for a Broken Heart,” which became a Dutch Top 40 single and was included on his chart-topping first solo album You Thought You Knew Me By Now.

Dean Saunders won the TV contest program Popstars shortly after his brother’s Voice victory. The two had often performed together, representing the Netherlands in the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest.

According to Dutch News, Ben Saunders struggled with health issues and had various run-ins with law enforcement over the years, including a 2016 community service sentence for abusing a traffic official. He was a member of the biker club Satudarah, which reportedly has ties to “organized violence and drug dealing,” according to the news organization.

Deadline
Reality Tea
TV Insider

posted 9/16/2026

More on "The Celebrity Traitors" Season 2
Catch It on the BBC, Peacock October 1, Not September 23
From Deadline

Let the backstabbing begin! The Celebrity Traitors is confirmed to return to the BBC next month. The eagerly anticipated series will premiere on October 1 (not September 23 as originally speculated) on BBC One and iPlayer, with a stacked cast including Bella Ramsey, Maya Jama, and Richard E. Grant. It's expected that it will launch on Peacock stateside.

To mark the premiere date, the BBC has released a new trailer, with the celebrities getting their game face on in the Scottish Highlands. “The game is on,” intones host Claudia Winkleman. “There are now killers among you.”

The full cast includes Amol Rajan, Bella Ramsey, James Acaster, James Blunt, Jerry Hall, Joanne McNally, Joe Lycett, Julie Hesmondhalgh, King Kenny, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Maya Jama, Michael Sheen, Miranda Hart, Myha’la, Professor Hannah Fry, Richard E. Grant, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Ross Kemp, Sebastian Croft and Sharon Rooney.

Deadline

posted 9/15/2026

Jeopardy!
syn/Peacock/Hulu/Disney+/Crave

Scrambled Up
syn/Samsung TV Plus

Wheel of Fortune
syn/Peacock/Hulu/Disney+/Crave

Let's Make a Deal
Season Premiere
CBS/Paramount+

The Price Is Right
Season Premiere
CBS/Paramount+

25 Words or Less
Live
XumoPlay/YouTube/syn

The Perfect Line
syn/GSN

Flip Side
syn/GSN

25 Words or Less
Live
XumoPlay/YouTube/syn

Celebrity Name That Tune
Season Premiere
Fox

The Voice
Season Premiere
NBC

Celebrity Weakest Link
Season Premiere
Fox

Halloween Baking Championship
Food

Funny You Should Ask
Season Premiere
CBS/Paramount+

Funny You Should Ask
CBS/Paramount+